You know the drill: a new Travel Management Company (TMC) wants your business, so they roll out the red carpet. A polished demo. An eager support team. Pricing that seems too good to be true.
For 30 days, you think you’ve found “the one.” But then the contract ink dries… and things change. Suddenly, that dedicated support line reroutes to a 20-minute hold queue. The fancy features you tested quietly disappear. And those “introductory” rates? They climb.
Sound familiar? Unfortunately, this kind of trial isn’t designed to show you reality. It’s designed to win you over. At AmTrav, we believe that’s backwards. A trial should earn your trust, not trick you into a commitment.
So how do you cut through the smoke and mirrors? Here’s what to look for and how to make sure your TMC trial sets you up for a partnership that lasts.
Red flag #1: A Trial that feels too good to be true
If the service you get during a trial feels unusually fast or personal, ask yourself: will this last? Many TMCs throw extra people and resources into trial accounts to impress decision-makers. But once you sign, the extra hands disappear, and you’re left with a much different reality.
What to do instead: Pay attention to whether the experience feels sustainable. Ask: “Will this be my normal day-to-day?”
Some TMCs turn on extra bells and whistles just for the trial. The reporting looks robust, the integrations seem seamless, the booking tool feels complete. But once the paperwork is signed, some of those “trial-only” features switch off or require expensive add-ons.
What to do instead: Be clear on what’s included. Ask for transparency: “Will everything I see now still be available in month six?”
Discounted fees, waived surcharges, “special trial pricing.” They sound good in the moment, but they can mask the true cost of working with that TMC. Suddenly, what looked affordable balloons into a budget headache.
What to do instead: Insist on seeing the real numbers from the start, including a pricing offer that’s good for multiple years after signing. A trustworthy partner won’t surprise you later.
What a trust-first trial looks like
At AmTrav, we flipped the script. Our trials aren’t about smoke, mirrors, or highlight reels—they’re about giving you the real experience from day one.
That means:
The goal isn’t to dazzle you for 30 days. It’s to prove that six months, a year, five years from now, you’ll still be glad you chose us.
Heritage Auctions had been through this before: the glowing trial followed by the disappointing reality. When they came to AmTrav, they needed a partner who would be consistent, transparent, and supportive long after the trial ended.
What started as a test drive became a long-term partnership built on trust. Their travelers found booking easy, admins finally had clear reporting, and their support team always had AmTrav in their corner.
That’s what happens when a trial isn’t a performance. It’s a preview.
If you’re planning a TMC trial, here’s a quick checklist to keep you grounded:
If the answers aren’t clear or consistent, that’s a red flag.
Choosing a TMC is a big decision. The trial should make it easier, not harder. At AmTrav, we believe the best way to earn your business is to show you exactly what it’s like to work with us - no tricks, no false promises, no fading act.
Ready to see what a real trial feels like? Let’s talk.